The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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